If (like me) Tangled is your very favorite Disney film and ultimate comfort movie, you will either fall in love with or completely despise this book. It’s important to keep in mind that “What Once Was Mine” is a TWISTED tale, not a retelling. There are stark contrasts from the original story, and the overarching plot ends up being much, much darker, with certain elements that almost border on horror instead of light fantasy.

Instead of inheriting the healing powers of the sun, Rapunzel is born with the power of the moon, capable of causing harm to those closest to her. But even with this terrifying power, our princess is still the same lovable, clumsy, and innocent young woman with a strong and compassionate heart. The addition of new characters and the reworked stories of familiar friends are a wonderful touch.

My one complaint is that the story is frequently interrupted by the events of the storyteller’s real life, which I could have done without. I didn’t feel that it added anything to the experience, and it was an annoying distraction from the plot.

This was the first volume of Disney’s ‘A Twisted Tale’ series that I picked up, and I enjoyed it immensely. I will definitely be reading more in the future!